- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Available on NOOK devices and apps
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
| List of Maps | 9 | |
| Preface | 13 | |
| Acknowledgements | 16 | |
| Chronology | 17 | |
| 1 | The Great King | 21 |
| 2 | The Glory of the Hour | 31 |
| 3 | The Persians | 40 |
| 4 | The Athenians | 53 |
| 5 | The Spartans | 58 |
| 6 | Arms and the Man | 67 |
| 7 | Ships of War | 75 |
| 8 | Dispositions | 80 |
| 9 | Action and Reaction | 86 |
| 10 | Ultimate Decisions | 92 |
| 11 | March to the North | 101 |
| 12 | Land and Sea | 107 |
| 13 | First Encounters | 115 |
| 14 | Battle | 122 |
| 15 | First Night and Second Day | 129 |
| 16 | Over the Mountain | 134 |
| 17 | End and Beginning | 140 |
| 18 | After Thermopylae | 147 |
| 19 | In Another Country... | 154 |
| 20 | The Advance | 163 |
| 21 | Into Attica | 170 |
| 22 | Sparring for Position | 178 |
| 23 | Eve of Battle | 186 |
| 24 | 'Sea-Born Salamis' | 191 |
| 25 | Aftermath | 202 |
| 26 | Winter | 208 |
| 27 | Spring | 219 |
| 28 | The Road to Plataea | 225 |
| 29 | Decisive Round | 237 |
| Select Bibliography | 246 | |
| Index | 247 |
Mac2212
Posted May 14, 2010
If you would like to gain a more in depth understanding of Thermopylae including the Spartan and Persian mindsets this is a great book. Don't expect the movie "300" as this is historically accurate and includes details that a true ancient history buff will appreciate
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.For a factual account of an historic event written by an economist the resulting book couldn't have been any better! I randomly selected this book to read about the Battle of Thermopylae and I'm not sure that I could have made a better choice if I'd spent time researching. The story telling is very well done and flows nicely througout the book. There were many a night that I stayed up later than I had planned turning pages.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Sal46
Posted April 6, 2009
This is the definitive book on the topic. It presents all sides.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 9, 2008
Like many who were enthralled with Frank Miller's '300' [although I experienced it years ago in single-issue comics form and not just from the graphic novel compilation or recent movie adaptation], I came to a great appreciation of and admiration for Leonidas and the 300's sacrifice at Thermopylae. Being a devoted student of history, however, I wanted to know more about the Persian Empire and its eventual thwarting in Greece. Steven Pressfield's 'Gates of Fire,' while adequate, was far from the most satisfying read, and so I wanted to turn to a more nonfictional avenue. The late Ernle Bradford did not disappoint in the slightest, offering a splendid and even-handed perspective on both Spartan and Persian military characteristics, weaponry, philosophy, political beliefs, and so on. However, where Bradford wonderfully did not stop is even more remarkable, going on to explain the naval battle of Salamis and the final land battle at Plataea, placing them in the context of the same aforementioned topics for Athenians and all other Greeks. Despite writing an historical text, Bradford's prose is never dry, keeping the reader's interest while filling in many details one would not have thought important and also explaining away or dispelling many of the historical inaccuracies or errors propagated by '300' or 'Gates of Fire.' For the serious student of Grecian military history, in fact of any military history, this will make a fine addition to one's library.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 14, 2003
THIS IS A WIN WIN BOOK IF YOU WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THERMOPYLAE THEN READ THIS BOOK IT IS NOT LIKE ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL THIS IS THE REAL DEAL
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 5, 2003
A great recanting of Leonidias' epic last stand. This is one of histories greatest stories. If you love a heroic tale you must read this book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 1, 2002
This book was very good. I wish I could give it four and a half stars. It covers the entire scene of Xerxes' invasion. From Sicily and the Battle of Himera to the battles on the soil and waters of Greece, you get the entire picture. Bradford really writes smoothly and it is an easy read. He does an extroadinary job explaining the brilliant strategy of Themistocles and the practical invincibility of the Spartans at the time. Overall, it is an inspiring and informative read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 25, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted October 12, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted March 3, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted October 27, 2008
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted October 8, 2010
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted October 25, 2008
No text was provided for this review.
Anonymous
Posted November 9, 2009
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
An impressively accessible narrative depicting the three-day battle for the pass at Thermopylae (the Hot Gates)--a critical contest in Xerxes's massive invasion of Greece. The bloody stand made there by Leonidas and his small Spartan army in 480 B.C. has been hailed ever since as an outstanding example of patriotism, courage, and sacrifice.